Mechanical properties of Cu₆Sn₅ intermetallic by micropillar compression testing

The micromechanical behavior of single-crystal Cu₆Sn₅ was studied by microcompression testing of pillars. The pillars were fabricated by focused ion beam milling and tested using a nanoindenter with a flat tip. The stress-strain behavior and fractographic analysis show that Cu₆Sn₅ deforms elastically and undergoes cleavage, resulting in fracture. The strain bursts on stress-strain curves correspond to cleavage on various planes. The fracture stress calculated using the area at the top of pillars was independent of taper angle.